me:

I sent for thee to exercise thine arms

Mel. Peace of heart betwixt them! With me at Patria: Thou cam’st not, Diphilus ; But this is strange. 'Twas ill.

Lys. The kirg my brother did it Diph. My noble brother, my excuse

To honour you; and these solemnities Is my king's straight command; which you, my Are at his charge. lord,

Mel. 'Tis royal, like himself. But I am sad Can witness with me.

My speech bears so unfortunate a sound Lys. 'Tis true, Melantius;

To beautiful Aspatia. There is rage He might not come, till the solemnity

Hid in her father's breast, Calianax, Of this great match was past.

Bent long against me; and he should not think, Diph. Have you heard of it?

If I could call it back, that I would take Viel. Yes. I have given cause to those, that So base revenges, as to scorn the state Envy my deeds abroad, to call me gamesome : Of his neglected daughter. Holds he still I have no other business here at Rhodes.

His greatness with the king? Lys. We have a masque to-night, and you Lys. Yes. But this lady must tread

Walks discontented, with her watery eyes A soldier's measure.

Bent on the earth. The unfrequented woods Mel. These soft and silken wars are not for Are her delight; and, when she sees a bank

Stuck full of flowers, she, with a sigh, will tell The music must be shrill, and all confused, Her servants, what a pretty place it were That stirs my blood; and then I dance with arms. To bury lovers in; and make her maids But is Amintor wed?

Pluck them, and strew her over like a corse. Diph. This day.

She carries with her an infectious grief, Mel. All joys upon him! for he is my friend. That strikes all her beholders; she will sing Wonder not that I call a man so young my friend : The mournfullst things, that ever ear hath heard, His worth is great; valiant he is, and temperate; And sigh, and sing again; and, when the rest And one that never thinks his life his own, Of our young ladies, in their wanton blood, If his friend need it. When he was a boy, Tell miřthful tales in course, that fill the room As oft as I returned (as, without boast,

With laughter, she will, with so sad a look, I brought home conquest) he would gaze upon me, Bring forth a story of the silent death And view me round, to find in what one limb Of some forsaken virgin, which her grief The virtue lay to do those things he heard. Will put in such a phrase, that, ere she end, Then would he wish to see my sword, and feel

She'll send them weeping one by one away.
The quickness of the edge, and in his hand Mel. She has a brother under my command,
Weigh it: He oft would make me smile at this. Like her ; a face as womanish as hers;
His youth did promise much, and his ripe years But with a spirit, that hath much out-grown
Will see it all performed.

The number of his years.
Enter ASPATIA, passing by.

Enter AMINTOR.
Hail, maid and wife !

Cle. My lord, the bridegroom ! Thou fair Aspatia, may the holy knot,

Mel. I might run fiercely, not more hastily, That thou bast tied to-day, last till the hand Upon my foe. I love thee well, Amintor; Of age undo it! mayest thou bring a race My mouth is much too narrow for my heart ; Unto Amintor, that may fill the world

I joy to look upon those eyes of thine; Successively with soldiers !

Thou art my friend, but my disorder'd speech Asp. My hard fortunes

Cuts off my love.
Deserve not scorn; for I was never proud, Amin. Thou art Melantius;
When they were good.

(Exit. All love is spoke in that. A sacrifice, Mel. How is this?

To thank the gods Melantius is return'd Lys. You are mistaken,

In safety! Victory sits on his sword, For she is not married.

As she was wont: May she build there and dwell; Mel. You said Amintor was.

And may thy armour be, as it hath been, Diph. 'Tis true; but

Only thy valour and thy innocence! Mel. Pardon me, I did receive

What endless treasures would our enemies give, Letters at Patria from my Amintor,

That I might hold thee stm trius! That he should marry her.

Mel. I am but poor Diph. And so it stood

In words ; but credit me, young man, thy mother In all opinion long; but your arrival

Could do no more but weep for joy to see thiee Made me imagine, you had heard the change. After long absence: All the wounds, I have, Mel, Who hath he taken then ?

Fetch'd not so much away, nor all the cries Lys. A lady, sir,

Of widowed mothers. But this is peace,
That bears the light above her, and strikes dead And that was war.
With flashes of her eye: the fair Evadne, Amin. Pardon, thou holy god
Your virtuous sister.

Qi marriage-bed, and trown not; I am forc'd, VOL. I.

E.

ble you

In answer of such noble tears as those,
To weep upon my wedding-day.

Enter MELANTIUS and a Lady.
Mel. I fear thou’rt grown too fickle; for I Mel. None but this lady, sír.
hear

Diag. The ladies are all placed above, save A lady mourns for thee; men say, to death ; those, that come in the king's troop: The best Forsaken of thee : on what terms I know not. of Rhodes sit there, and there's room. Amin. She had my promise; but the king for Mel. I thank you, sir.--When I have seen bad it,

you placed, madam, I must attend the king; but, And made me make this worthy change, thy the masque done, I'll wait on you again. sister,

Diag. Stand back there-room for my lord Accompanied with graces far above her ; Melantius-pray, bear back-this is no place for With whom I long to lose my lusty youth, such youths and their trulls- let the doors shut And grow old in her arms.

again.-No!- do your heads itch! I will scratch Mel. Be prosperous !

them for you.-So, now thrust and hang.Again! who is it now?

I cannot blame my lord Enter MESSENGER.

Calianax for going away: Would he were here! Mess. My lord, the masquers rage for you. he would run raging among them, and break a Lys. We are gone. Cleon, Strato, Diphilus dozen wiser heads than his own, in the twinkAmin. We'll all attend you. We shall trou- ling of an eye. What's the news now?

Within.) I pray you, can you help me to the With our solemnities.

speech of the master-cook? Mel. Not so, Amintor:

Diag. If I open the door, I will cook some of But if you laugh at my rude carriage

your calves heads. Peace, rogues ! -Again! In peace, I'll do as much for you in war, who is it? When you come thither. Yet I have a mistress Mel. (Within.) Melantius. To bring to your delights ; rongh though I am, I have a mistress, and she has a heart,

Enter CALIANAX. She says; but, trust me, it is stone, no better ; Cal. Let him not in. There is no place, that I can challenge in't. Diag. O, my lord, I must.- Make room there But you stand still, and here my way lies. for my lord. Enter CALIANAX with DIAGORAS.

Enter MELANTIUS. Cal. Diagoras, look to the doors better, for Is your lady placed ?

(TO MEL. shame! you let in all the world, and anon the Mel. Yes, sir, king will rail at me—why, very well said-by I thank you.-My lord Calianax, well met. Jove, the king will have the show in the court. Your causeless hate to me, I hope, is buried.

Diag. Why do you swear so, my lord? You Cal. Yes, I do service for your sister here, know, he will have it here.

That brings my own poor child to timeless death: Cal. By this light, if he be wise, he will not. She loves your friend Amintor; such another

Diag. And, if he will not be wise, you are False-hearted lord as you. forsworn.

Mel. You do me wrong, Cal. One may wear out his heart with swear A most unmanly one, and I am slow ing, and get thanks on no side. I'll be gone- In taking vengeance ! But be well advised. look to it, who will.

Cal. It may be so.-Who placed the lady there, Diag. My lord, I shall never keep them out. So near the presence of the king? Pray, stay; your looks will terrify them.

Mel. I did. Cal. My looks terrify them, you coxcombly Cal. My lord, she must not sit there. ass, you! I will be judged by all the company, Mel. Why? whether thou hast not a worse face than I. Cal. The place is kept for women of more Diag. I mean, because they know you and

worth.

Mel. More worth than she? It mis-becomes Cal. Office! I would I could put it off: I am

your age, sure I sweat quite through my office. I might And place, to be thus womanish. Forbear! have made room at my daughter's wedding : they What you have spoke, I am content to think have near killed her among them; and now I The palsy shook your tongue to. must do service for him, that hath forsaken her. Cal. Why, it is well, if I stand here to place Serve, that will.

(Erit. men's wenches. Diag. He is so humourous since his daughter Mel. I shall forget this place, thy age, my was forsaken. Hark, hark! there, there? so,

safety, so, Codes, Codes! (Knock within.] What now? And, thorough all, cut that poor sickly week, Mel. (Within.] Open the door.

Thou hast to live, away from thee. Diag. Who's there?

Cal. Nay, I know you can fight for your whore. Mel. (Within.) Melantius.

Mel. Bate the king, and be he flesh and bloode Diag. I hope your lordship brings no troop He lyes, that says it! Thy mother at fifteen with you; for, if you do, I must return them. Was black and sinful to her.

your office.

Diag. Good my lord !

And send a beam upon my swarthy face; Mel. Some god pluck threescore years from By which I may discover all the place that fond man,

And persons, and how many longing eyes
That I may kill him, and not stain mine honour! Are come to wait on our solemnities.
It is the curse of soldiers, that in peace
They shall be braved by such ignoble men,

Enter CINTHIA.
As, if the land were troubled, would with tears How dull and black am I! I could not find
And knees beg succour from them. 'Would, This beauty without thee, I am so blind.
that blood,

Methinks, they shew like to those eastern streaks, That sea of blood, that I have lost in fight, That warn us hence, before the morning breaks. Were running in thy veins, that it might make Back, my pale servant, for these eyes know how thee

To shoot far more and quicker rays than thou. Apt to say less, or able to maintain,

Cinth. Great queen, they be a troop, for whom Should'st thou say more! This Rhodes, I see,

alone is nought

One of my clearest moons I have put on; But a place privileged to do men wrong. A troop, that looks as if thyself and I Cal. Ay, you may say your pleasure. Had pluck'd our reins in, and our whips laid by, Enter AMINTOR.

To gaze upon these mortals, that appear

Brighter than we. Amin. What vile injury

Night. Then let us keep 'em here; Has stirred my worthy friend, who is as slow And never more our chariots drive away, To fight with words, as he is quick of hand ? But hold our places, and out-shine the day. Mel. That heap of age, which I should reve Cinth. Great queen of shadows, you are plearence,

sed to speak If it were temperate; but testy years

Of more than may be done : We may not break Are most contemptible.

The gods' decrees; but, when our time is come, Amin. Good sir, forbear.

Must drive away, and give the day our room. Cal. There is just such another as yourself. Night. Then shine at full, fair queen, and by Amin. He will wrong you, or me, or any man,

thy pow'r And talk as if he had no life to lose,

Produce a birth, to crown this happy hour, Since this our match. The king is coming in: Of nymphs and shepherds : Let their songs disI would not for more wealth than I enjoy,

cover, He should perceive you raging. He did hear Easy and sweet, who is a happy lover. You were at difference now, which hastened him. Or, if thou woo't, then call thine own EndyCel. Make room there! (Hautboys play within.

mion,

From the sweet flow'ry bed he lies upon, Enter KING, EVADNE, ASPATIA, lords,

On Latmus' top, thy pale beams drawn away; and ladies.

And of this long night let him make a day. King. Melantius, thou art welcome, and my Cinth. Thou dream’st, dark queen ; that fair love

boy was not mine, Is with thee still: But this is not a place Nor went I down to kiss him. Ease and wine To brabble in. Calianax, join hands.

Have bred these bold tales : Poets, when they Cal. He shall not have my hand.

rage, King. This is no time

Turn gods to men, and make an hour an age. To force you to it. I do love you both: But I will give a greater state and glory, Calianax, you look well to your office;

And raise to time a noble memory And you, Melantius, are welcome home. Of what these lovers are. Rise, rise, I say, Begin the masque !

Thou pow'r of deeps; thy surges lade away, Mel. Sister, I joy to see you, and your choice. Neptune, great king of waters, and by me You looked with my eyes, when you took that Be proud to be commanded. Be happy in him!

NEPTUNE rises. Evad. O, my dearest brother!

Nept. Cinthia, see, Your presence is more joyful than this day

Thy word hath fetch'd me hither: Let me know, Can be unto me.

Why I ascend?
THE MASQUE.

Cinth. Doth this majestic show

Give thee no knowledge yet?
Night rises in mists.

Nept. Yes, now I see
Night. Our reign is come ; for in the raging sea Something intended, Cinthia, worthy thee.
The sun is drown'd, and with him fell the day. Go on; I'll be a helper.

Cinth. Hie thee, then,
For whom thou bear'st about thy borrow'd light. And charge the wind fly from his rocky den.
Appear; no longer thy pale visage shroud, Let loose thy subjects ; only Boreas,
But strike thy silver horns quite through a cloud, 1 Too foul for our intention, as he was,

nian :

Still keep him fast chain'd: We must have none

SONG. here But vernal blasts, and gentle winds appear;

Hold back thy hours, dark Night, till we hare

done : Such as blow flow'rs, and thro' the glad boughs

The day will come too soon ; sing

Young muids will curse thee, if thou stealst away, Many soft welcomes to the lusty spring : These are our music. Next, thy watery race

And luuo'st their losses open to the day: Bring on in couples (we are pleased to grace

Stay, stay, and hide This noble night), each in their richest things

The blushes of the bride. Your own deeps, or the broken vessel, brings.

Stay, gentle Night, and with thy darkness cover

The kisses of her lover.
Be prodigal, and I shall be as kind,
And shine at full upon you.

Stay, and confound her tears, and her shrill cry

ings, Nept. Ho! the wind-commanding Æolus !

Her ucuk denials, vows, and often dyings ; Enter Æolus, out of a rock.

Stay, and hide all, Eol. Great Neptune?

But help not, tho' she call. Nept. He.

Nept. Great queen of us and heav'n, hear Æol. What is thy will?

what I bring Nept. We do command thee free

To make this hour a full one,
Favonius, and thy miltler winds, to wait

If not o'ermeasure.
Upon our Cinthia; but tie Borcas straight; Cinth. Speak, sea's king.
He's too rebellious.

Nept. The tunes my Amphitrite joys to have, ol. I shall do it.

When they will dance upon the rising wave, Nept. Do.

And court me as the sails. My Tritons, play A ol. Great master of the flood, and all below, Music to Icad a storm; I'll lead the way. Thy full command has taken.-Ho! the Main !

(Measure. Neptune! Nept. Here.

SONG. Eol. Boreas has broke his chain,

To bed, to bed; come, Hymen, lead the bride, And, struggling, with the rest has got away.

And lay her by her husband's side : Nept. Let him alone, I'll take him up at sea ; Bring in the virgins every one, He will not long be thence. Go once again,

That grieve to lie alone; And call out of the bottoms of the main

That they may kiss while they may say, a maidi Blue Proteus, and the rest; charge them put on

To-orrou, 'iwill be other, kiss'd, and said. Their greatest pearls, and the most sparkling

Hesperus be long a-shining,
stone

Whilst these lovers are a-twining.
The beaten rock breeds; 'till this night is done
By me a solemn honour to the moon,

Fol. Ho! Neptune!
Fly, like a full sail.

Nept. 7Eolus ! Eol. I am gone.

Lol. The seas go high, Cinth. Dark Night,

Boreas hath rais'd a storm: Go and apply Strike a full silence; do a thorough right Thy trident; else, I prophesy, ere day To this great chorus ; that our music may Many a tall ship will be cast away. Touch high as heaven, and make the east break Descend with all the gods, and all their power, day

To strike a calm. At mid-night.

[Music. Cinth. A thanks to every one, and to gratulate

So great a service, done at my desire,
SONG.

Ye shall have many floods, fuller and higher Cinthia, to thy power and thee,

Than you have wished for; no ebb shall dare We obey.

To let the day see, where your dwellings are. Joy to this great company!

Now back unto your government in haste, And no day

Lest your proud charge should swell above the Come to steal this night away,

waste, 'Till the rites of love are ended;

And win upon the island.
And the lusty bridegroom say,

Nopt. We ober:
Welcome, light, of all befriended.

[NEPTUNE descends, and the sea gods. Pace out, you watery pow'rs below ;

Cinth. Hold up thy head, dead Night: seest Let

thou not day?
Like the gallies when they row,

The east begins to lighten: I must down,
Even beat.

And give my brother place.
Let your unknown measures, set

Night. Ohi, I could frown
To the still winds, tell to all,

To see the Day; the Day, that flings his light
That gods are come, immortal, great, Upon my kingdom, and contemns old Niglit!
To honour this great nuptial.

Let him go on and flame! I hope to see [The measure. Another wild-fire in his axletree;

your feet,

see

And all fall drenched. But I forgot; speak,

Tie Masque ENDS. queen. The day grows on; I must no more be seen. King. Take lights there. Ladies, get the Cinth. Heave up thy drowsy head again, and

bride to bed.

We will not see you laid. Good night, Amintor; A greater light, a greater majesty,

We'll ease you of that tedious ceremony. Between our sect and us! Whip up thy team ! Were it my case,

I shoul.i think time run slow. The day break’s here, and you sun-flaring beam If thou be'st noble, youth, get me a boy Shot from the south. Say, which way wilt thou That may defend my kingdom from my foes.

Amin. All happiness to you. Night. l'll vanish into mists.

King. Good night, Melantius. [Ercunt. Cinth. I into day.

[Exeunt.

go?

ACT II.

Dula. I will refuse it. Enter EVADNE, ASPATIA, DULA, and other

She will pluck down aside; she does not usc it, Ladies.

Evad. Why, do. Dula. Madam, shall we undress you for this Dula. You will find the play fight?

Quickly, be ause your head lies well that way. The wars are naked, you must make to-night.

Evad. I thank thee, Dula; 'would, thou Eaud. You are very merry, Dula.

could'st instil Dula. I should be merrier far, if t'were Some of thy mirth into Aspatia! With me, as 'tis with you.

Nothing but sad thoughts in ber breast do dwell : Erad. How's that?

Methinks, a mean betwixt you would do well. Dula. That I might go to bed with him

Dula. She is in love: Hang me, if I were so, Wi' th' credit that you do.

But I could run my country. I love, too, Ered. Why, how now, wench?

To do those things that people in love do. Dula. Come, ladies, will you help?

Asp. It were a timeless smile should prove my Erad. I am soon undone.

cheek : Dula. And as soon done:

It were a fitter hour for me to laugh, Good store of clothes will trouble you at both.

When at the altar the religious priest Erud. Art thou drunk, Dula?

Were pacifying the offended powers Dula. Why here's none but we.

With sacrifice, than now. This should have been Erad. Thou think'st, belike, there is no mo My night: and all your hands have been emdesty

ployed When we are alone.

In giving me a spotless offering Dula. Ay, by my troth, you hit my thoughts To young Amintor's bed, as we are now aright.

For you. Pardon, Evadne ; 'would, my worth Erad. You prick me, lady.

Were great as yours, or that the king, or he, Dula. 'Tis against my will:

Or both, thought so! Perhaps, he found me Anon you must endure more, and lie still:

worthless : You're best to practise.

But, till he did so, in these cars of mine, Erad. Sure, this wench is mad.

These credulous ears, he pour’d the sweetest Dula. No faith, this is a trick that I have had

words Since I was fourteen.

That art or love could frame. If he were false, Erad. 'Tis high time to leave it.

Pardon it, Heaven ! And if I did want Dula. Nay, now I'll keep it, 'till the trick Virtue, you safely may forgive that too ; leave me.

For I have lost none, that I had from you.
A dozen wanton words, put in your head, Evud. Nay, leave this sad talk, madam.
Will make you livelier in your husband's bed. Asp. 'Would, I could! then should I leave the

Evad. Nay, faith, then take it.
Dula. Take it, madam? where?

Evad. See, if you have not spoiled all Dula's We all, I hope, will take it, that are here.

mirth. Erad. Nay, then, I'll give you o'er.

Asp. Thou think'st thy heart hard; but if Dulu, So will I make

thou best caught, The ablest man in Rhodes, or his heart ake. Remember me; thou shalt perceive a fire Erad. Wilt take my place to-night?

Shot suddenly into thee. Dala. I'll hold your cards’gainst any two Iknow. Dula. That's not so good ; let them shoot any Ered. What wilt thou do?

thing but fire, I fear them not. Dula. Madam, we'll do't, and make 'em leave Asp. Well, wench, thou may'st be taken. play two.

Erud. Ladies, good night: I'll do the rest Erad. Aspatia, take her part.

myself.

cause.